away from the capitol, the capitol hill deadlock, the debt crisis is weighing heavily on troops in afghanistan and the top question on their minds saturday, even as bombing rocked the city around th them, a question they couldn't answer -- will we get paid?" admiral mullen went on to say, i don't know the answer to that question. but either way those soldiers, he said, all of you must continue to work every day. mr. president, this is really unacceptable. a country as rich and powerful as ours, men and women with bombs going on around them, shouldn't worry whether this country will leave them high and dry. this afternoon i asked those who have said they will never compromise on any terms to think about who their spub borness will really hurt. seniors, soldiers and others. i've spoken to the vice president this morning, in fact a couple of times. he's hopeful. of course we have to be hopeful and we're close to an agreement with republican leaders. the framework of this agreement is based on new ideas and old ideas. after speaking to republican leader mitch mcconnell this morning, we are cautiou